IRC
Notos XC
29er Tire

Product Description

Low rolling resistance doesn't do much good if you wash out in every corner. So we designed the Notos XC to be fully lugged for maximum traction, but we shortened the knob height so it remained blazing fast. The result is a feathery XC racing tire perfect for any type of cross country course. Features our exceptionally strong yet amazingly light casing, the PRF (read: no DNF) System, and Hybrid Tread Compound.

Strengths: Light, Wire bead for stans conversion. Good traction and good volume for a 2.1...also fast with the ramped center knobs.

Weaknesses: Weak sidewalls, I've had two pretty good tears in both front and back...nothing an old tube and some gorilla glue couldn't fix. May not be the best for a Stan's conversion based on my luck. Stan's is good but it can't fix a 1/2" hole.

Bottom Line:

This is a follow up review after 1 year of use. Due to the side wall problems I doubt I could effectively run Stans tubeless. I do however run stans in tubes and it works pretty well here in cactus/goathead country...The sidewalls were weaker than expected...the the final caveat is I'm 6'3" 200lbs and I thrash my stuff. I actually really love riding the tire, I just wish the sidewalls would have stood up longer. Great cheap tire...low durability

Weaknesses: Skids on loose gravel/rock. I got the version with gray sidewalls so it looked like an old school tire.

Bottom Line:

I have been using this tire for approximately 7 months. I tried it first on my 29er rigid SS and it handled well but had the lack of cushion for a 2.1 tire. It's better using tires wider that 2.2 for rigids. This is a good tire if you run in not so technical terrain. I actually like this tire but had to switch to more grippy Rampages. I just wish they had a wide and kevlar version of this tire. I would recommend this tire for those looking for an affordable yet good performing tire(s).

I ran these on my bikes since 2001, back in my 26er days.They get lighting fast as they get normal center wear, I modified the center section to make slicks, very fast. In the unmodified state they are very progressive at cornering adhesion limits, with outside knobs stiff enough to bite in. If you angle the bike in for a course correction these tires respond. Watch out for these on twisty dry gravel trails, the knobs are not tall enough to punch through 3/8" gravel. If you ride in loamy/wet conditions this tire is hard to beat for racing. Sheds mud very well & will not disappoint you on muddy up hills. Better than average on wet rocks. I believe trek factory team used this tread in mud in '00-'05.

In general stay away from this tire if you run dry twisty gravel trails or dry fire roads, otherwise this tire shines.

Strengths: A pretty decent all around buff trail tire. Not really a strength, but this is the kind of tire that doesn't really do anything outstanding. Just average.

Weaknesses: Doesn't do well at high speeds and gets squirmy too soon when pushed.

Bottom Line:

I've used this tire and tried to make it work as well as some of my other tires. However, in the similar type of tire category, I much prefer the performance and ride characteristics of the ACX's, Nanoraptors and XR's. If one was looking for an all around average tire and is not concerned about holding speed and pushing through corners - this tire will be fine.

Strengths: Relatively Light weight for a 29er and Wire Bead. Ramped knobs. Good traction. Wire bead is a must for Stan's tubeless conversion

Weaknesses: So far so good

Bottom Line:

Like the previous reviewer I was very impressed with this tire. It's fast rolling, has good cornering knobs, good climbing traction. It's only 2.1 but it handles better than my 2.5's on my hucker bike. I don't know if it is the 29er wheel or the tire but I have had better traction with this tire than any of my 26er tire experiences. No kidding, I was blown away. Cornering was awesome! IRC tires are way under-rated!

This tire performed way above my expectaions. It doesn't seem like much just from looking at it, but don't let the look fool you. This tire just works. Climbing and braking traction are quite good. Cornering grip is very close to that on an Ignitor and just as predictable. Rolling resistance seems as low as an Ignitor or Jones XR. Decent mud performance, clears very well, but the knobs could be taller for mud. Overall very good all-rounder.

Related Notos XC Forum Posts

Need to order some 29er tires today and thought the WTB Exiwolf 2.3s were it, but the reviews seem to disagree. Building up a 3x9 Soma Juice with a MX Comp bomber for riding in the rooty, rocky, sandy & muddy north east singletrack (NJ).
Debating between the WTB Exiwolf Race 2.3 (620 gr) , Pana ... Read More »

So, I was either really tired after my race on Sunday or those Jones do not roll as fast as the Notos. I was racing my usual Tuesday night "Fun Series" with a brand new set of Jones ACX on my Monkey and was getting passed by people who shouldn't have been passing me so easily. Was it just me? I doub ... Read More »